A Doll's House - An overview
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Written in Rome at a time of revolution in Europe
A play in the realist genre, it did challenge the traditional well-made
play mode which worked from the exposition, through to the rising
action of the situation to the final solution or unravelling of a play's
tensions or issues.
The last moments of the play where Nora tells Torvald she will leave
him turns the tradition upside down for the audience.
Characters portrayed in realistic mode as imperfect and dimensional
The most obvious underlying theme is that of feminism; Nora's
rejection of marriage and motherhood shocked audiences and many
German productions of the 1880's altered the ending, which deeply
upset Ibsen. (he called this 'a barbaric outrage!')
Focus on thematic, metaphoric and symbolic underpinnings
Setting:
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Dramatic action takes place in one room where Nora has been
described as being 'trapped in domestic comfort'.
Male and female:
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The place of women is explored through the institutions of motherhood
and marriage (the children are like 'dolls' to Nora)
Torvald holds tight to the traditional view of women as homemakers
and good mothers, the moral guardians of the children and the home.
He regards women rather like children who are helpless who need
protection from the harsh realities of life; men are independent and the
guardians
Nora is called many names throughout the play, 'little songbird.' 'little
skylark,' 'little person,' 'squirrel.' 'lark,' 'little featherhead.' 'little woman,'
'little rogue,' 'helpless little mortal,' 'child.' 'charming little darling,' 'my
frightened little singing bird,' 'miserable creature,' 'thoughtless woman,'
'blind foolish woman,' 'a heedless child,' - all indicating a lack of
equality and respect for Nora's personage.
Materialism versus people
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A great deal of importance is place on materialism rather than people
Money and materialism are viewed as ways of avoiding dealing at a
personal and close communicative level with people.
Reference: ClassicNote on 'A Doll's House,'
www.classicnotes/Titles/dollshouse/themes.html
Notable symbols:
Black hat and black cross - a symbol for death
Fisher girl costume - symbolises Nora's pretence of enjoying life
Italy - the good false image of Nora's life
Norway - reality
Doll house - the tendency of the characters to role-play
Toys - the act of pushing the roles onto Nora's children
Macaroons - Nora's deceit to her husband
Tarantella - Nora's agitation at her struggle with Krogstad and her husband
Christmas tree - the mood of the play
Stockings - Nora's attitude trying to please men and flirting with Rank
Letterbox and letter - stereotypes pressed on woman
Ring - marriage and its demise
Skylark - Torvald treating Nora like a child